Robert “Steve” S. Miller remains AIG’s nonexecutive chairman, but the insurer’s board of directors “will be assessing its [succession] plans in light of Mr. Miller’s announcement” of his new job, an AIG spokesman said.

AIG’s board outlined a management succession plan in late 2010 that would see Miller step in as interim CEO if Benmosche had to stop working. Benmosche was diagnosed with cancer in October of that year, leading the board to quickly map out the plan.

Since then, Benmosche has responded well to treatment and recently said he expects to remain CEO beyond 2012 if his health allows.

Benmosche has also said the board has identified several internal candidates who may be able to fill his shoes when the time comes.

Hawker Beechcraft named Miller as its new CEO Tuesday morning. Outgoing CEO Bill Boisture will remain chairman of the company’s operating subsidiary, Hawker Beechcraft Corp.

Miller has had a long career that has spanned the automotive, steel and waste-management industries. He has run several troubled major companies, including Delphi Corp., his last CEO job. He ran the auto-parts maker between July 2005 and September 2007, when he turned over the corner office to Rodney O’Neal. He remained executive chairman until the fall of 2009, when the company emerged from a protracted bankruptcy.

Miller is a director of Symantec Corp. SYMC +0.51% , a maker of security software, and has previously served on the board of directors of more than a dozen companies.

Miller earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Stanford University and his law degree from Harvard Law School.

–Serena Ng and Joann S. Lublin contributed to this article.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/aig-reviews-benmosche-replacement-plan-2012-02-07

The Australian toll road company’s net profit for the six months to Dec. 31 rose to A$93.2 million from A$74.7 million a year earlier.

Proportional earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization–a measure closely watched by analysts–increased 7.5% to A$390.0 million, beating a Goldman Sachs forecast of A$377.5 million.

Transurban declared an interim dividend of 14.5 cents per security and stuck to its guidance for the full year of at least 29 cents.

It said the upgrade of the M2 tollway in Sydney is about half-finished and expected to reach completion in the first half of 2013. The Capital Beltway project in the U.S. is over 80% done and on track for completion by the end of 2012, it said.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/transurban-profit-up-on-traffic-volumes-cost-cuts-2012-02-06

Lu said the company plans to add 2,000 staff this year to boost its cloud computing, sales and customer service. It has around 25,000 employees currently, he said.

The once-frosty relations between Beijing and Taipei have thawed since China-friendly Kuomintang took over Taiwan’s government in 2008. Among the business ties between the two sides on the telecom front, Chunghwa Telecom agreed to build an undersea cable, connecting Taiwan and China across the Pacific, with China Telecom Corp.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chunghwa-telecom-to-expand-workforce-by-8-in-2012-2012-02-04

Corning’s prediction, ahead of its annual investor meeting in New York on Friday, signals confidence that it can grow its top line by selling more fiber-optic cable, smartphone cover glass and other products. Reduced demand for LCD glass — the product that represents the bulk of the company’s profit and sales — has crimped its financial performance of late.

“We now expect the telecommunications, specialty materials, environmental technologies and life sciences business segments to be the primary drivers of increased sales and profits going forward,” Chief Financial Officer Jim Flaws said in a statement.

The company said it expects LCD glass sales to be flat through 2014. Corning also reiterated its recent comments that LCD glass price declines are weighing on the company’s profitability.

Shares were up 1.5% to $13.13 in recent premarket trading.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/corning-sees-non-lcd-operations-driving-growth-2012-02-03

Hirtler-Garvey has been a member of the youth-focused apparel retailer’s board since August 2005 and has served as chairman of the board’s audit committee as well as the company’s lead independent director. She most recently served as the chief risk executive for Ally Financial Inc. and has held several management positions at Bank of America Corp. (BAC).

Geiger, who also resigned as a member of the board, became the president and chief executive officer of Crumbs Bake Shop Inc. in November. Prior to that, Geiger served as Aeropostale’s chairman and chief executive from August 1998 until February 2010.

Aeropostale, which operates children’s and teen retail chains, saw its stock slump last year as its girls’ business failed to resonate with shoppers and it saw stiffer competition from its teen rivals, including Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF), which has become more promotional.

In November, Aeropostale Inc. reported its fiscal third-quarter profit fell 59% as the company booked sharply higher input costs, though earnings topped the its raised forecast.

Shares closed at $16.64 and were unchanged after hours. The stock is up 9.1% year to date.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/aeropostale-taps-hirtler-garvey-to-chair-board-2012-02-03

Newmont hopes to conclude the sale of the undeveloped Felton East/West and Lochbar/Bringalily South tenements in Queensland state’s Clarence-Moreton Basin within the first half of the year, the person said.

Denver, Col.-based Newmont is the world’s second-largest gold miner by output after Barrick Gold Corp. ABX +0.41% , and considers its regional coal assets in Australia to be non-core.

Newmont’s tenements in the Clarence-Moreton Basin lie around 10 kilometers from a rail line with access to Gladstone and Brisbane, and contain thermal coal that could be developed for export if capacity at either port becomes available.

The bituminous coal is low in sulfur, and has an energy content of around 6,000 kilocalories per kilogram after washing. Thermal coal is chiefly used to generate electricity.

Newmont last year appointed Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. to find a buyer for the two coal tenements.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/newmont-reportedly-in-coal-ops-sale-talks-2012-02-01

Shares jumped 8.7% after hours Tuesday to $24.79 on the stronger-than-expected results.

The company posted a profit of $16.5 million, or 10 cents a share, up from $16.1 million, also 10 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding stock-based compensation costs and other effects, per-share earnings rose to 14 cents from 11 cents as revenue jumped 29% to $120.9 million.

The company’s upbeat guidance in October had called for a per-share profit of about 12 cents, and $114 million to $116 million in revenue.

Gross margin narrowed to 73.1% from 74.1%.

Billings reached $475.8 million, up 27% from a year ago.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fortinet-quarterly-profit-up-22-as-billings-jump-2012-01-31

NEW YORK, Jan 26, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Ardent Mines Ltd. (OTCQB: ADNT) (the “Company” or “Ardent Mines”), a precious resources exploration, development, and mining company focused on advancing its two gold properties in Brazil, announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Luciano de Freitas Borges as President.

Mr. Borges commented on his appointment, “Ardent Mines has made significant progress this past year, having acquired two premier gold properties in Brazil, Gold Hills and Misty Hills. In addition, we completed the 43-101 exploration report on Gold Hills which confirmed an exploration potential of between 3.6 Mt and 6.0 Mt at an average grade between 4.0 g/t to 7.0 g/t. I am looking forward to advancing our exploration programs to prove up the resource potential and expected solid economics of these projects.”

Mr. Borges has over 28 years experience in Brazil’s mining industry, both in the government and private sector. He served as the National Secretary of Mines and Metallurgy in Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy from 1993-2001, and as Senior Advisor to the Ministry & Strategic Planning Executive Officer to the Brazilian Geological Survey since 2002. From 2007 to 2008, he was Chief Executive Officer of Steel Mineracao do Brasil S.A., and since 2006, he has served as the Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Ad Hoc Associated Advisors Inc., a technical advisory consulting firm for the mining industry. He currently serves as a Director on the Boards of Amerix Precious Metals Corporation and Ouro Roxo Participacoes S.A., each of which are developing gold projects in Brazil. Mr. Borges earned his undergraduate and post-graduation degrees in geology at the University of Brasilia, as well as having an MBA in Mineral Economics and Mineral Projects Valuation from other institutions.

Gold Hills/Serra do Ouro

Based on the results of the 43-101 exploration report and historical drill data from the area, the Company believes Gold Hills could contain a few million ounces of gold of excellent grade that should be extracted at very viable costs as the main vein is located at an average depth of 30 to 50 meters from the surface. Also, the report did not take into account any untested potential for parallel structures which can be interpreted from the airborne geophysics. Further enhancing the economics of the project is the 10-year income tax holiday Ardent expects to receive based on local incentives for investments in this semi-arid area of Brazil.

Misty Hills/Serra do Sereno

On October 18, 2011, Ardent Mines closed on its acquisition of the mineral rights in a highly mineralized area of 9,000 Hectares located in the Carajas Mineral Province, State of Para, with an option exercise payment of $350,000 to the Cooperativa dos Produtores de Minerios de Curionopolis (“COOPEMIC”). The Serra dos Carajas Mineral Province is a distinct geologic dominium, well known worldwide for hosting Brazil’s largest iron, copper and gold deposits. Ardent Mines property, named Serra do Sereno, or Misty Hills, was initially prospected by Anglo American Brasil Ltda. which identified gold and copper trends. Millions of tons of copper and millions of ounces of gold resources have been confirmed in areas which are in the same region as Misty Hills and new significant discoveries are still being made in the area.

ABOUT ARDENT MINES

Ardent Mines has positioned itself to develop low cost gold mining operations in Brazil, a mining friendly jurisdiction. Ardent Mines owns a 100% interest in Gold Hills Mining Ltda., which in turn owns mineral rights on 3,500 Hectares, covering a highly-mineralized vein containing high grades of gold. Ardent Mines also owns the mineral rights on the Serra do Sereno (Misty Hills) property, located in Carajas, Brazil, one of the better known mining districts in the world. Ardent Mines is headquartered in New York, and has a field office in Brasilia. The Company has 16.3 million shares outstanding, and trades under the ticker symbol ADNT.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements are based upon currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and management’s views and assumptions regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Our actual results may vary materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties. Ardent Mines cannot provide assurances that any prospective matters described in the press release will be successfully completed or that Ardent Mines will realize the anticipated benefits of any transactions. Various risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition are detailed from time to time in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings made by Ardent Mines with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Ardent Mines undertakes no obligation to update information contained in this release.

SOURCE: Ardent Mines Ltd. http://www.ardentmines.com

President Shuichi Takayama will hold a news conference the same day to explain the results, a company spokeswoman said.

The Japanese maker of cameras and medical imaging equipment last year restated its accounts for the past five years following revelations of a $1.5 billion loss-hiding scandal.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/olympus-plans-to-report-april-dec-results-feb-13-2012-01-26

Samsung, the world’s largest technology firm by revenue, said its net profit for the three months ended Dec. 31 rose to KRW4 trillion (US$3.57 billion) from KRW3.42 trillion a year earlier. In the third quarter, Samsung reported a net profit of KRW3.44 trillion.

The result was lower than the average KRW4.12 trillion net profit forecast in a poll of six analysts.

Samsung’s new revenue generators, such as high-end organic light-emitting diode displays and mobile processing semiconductors, cushioned the impact of a continued profit squeeze at the company’s liquid crystal display and computer memory chip businesses. The deal to sell Samsung’s hard disk drive business to U.S.-based Seagate Technology Inc. for $1.4 billion and the reversal of some provisions on royalties to Microsoft Corp. for Samsung’s Android-based smartphones and tablets also boosted income in the fourth quarter.

The firm’s operating profit and sales were in line with the company’s guidance issued earlier this month. Operating profit rose 75.8% to a record KRW5.3 trillion, from KRW3.01 trillion a year earlier, while sales rose 13% KRW47.3 trillion, from KRW41.87 trillion. Samsung had forecast a consolidated operating profit of between KRW5.0 trillion and KRW5.4 trillion on sales of between KRW46 trillion and KRW48 trillion.

Analysts said conditions in the global technology industry will remain challenging this year due to the lingering uncertainties over the global economy and Europe’s debt troubles, but the electronics giant’s earnings momentum will remain robust as its brisk sales of smartphones will continue to drive sales of its components.

“Samsung’s operating profit will decrease to about KRW4.48 trillion in the first quarter due to the traditionally slower selling season, but will rebound from the second quarter as smartphone sales growth will continue, which will help strengthen the synergies between the company’s set products and components,” Solomon Investment & Securities said in a report.

For the full year in 2011, Samsung posted a net profit of KRW13.73 trillion on record sales of KRW165 trillion.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/samsung-profit-up-17-on-record-smartphone-sales-2012-01-26